Breakfast links: A small number of landlords file nearly half of DC evictions

LinksBy Liam Sullivan (Contributor) October 9, 2020

H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse of the District of Columbia by OZinOH licensed under Creative Commons.

Nearly half of DC’s evictions are filed by a handful of landlords

A minority of property owners, just 21%, are responsible for nearly half of DC eviction filings, a Georgetown University report found. Most filings don’t result in evictions, but instead are a tactic used to pressure tenants for rent.  (Kyle Swenson / Post)

An agreement gives Purple Line parties until November to negotiate

Parties responsible for building the Purple Line have agreed to maintain their financial arrangement until the end of October, buying time to negotiate on the cost overruns plaguing the project.  (Bruce DePuyt / Maryland Matters)

Metro’s budget plan rides on COVID-19 uncertainty

As WMATA plans for 2021 and 2022, the organization faces major questions about what ridership will look like because of the pandemic. Metro will likely need to contend with a “new normal” of low ridership.  (Jordan Pascale / WAMU)

Three House bills blocking DC statehood were introduced this week

Republican members of Congress introduced three separate proposals this week that would counteract any move to statehood, by absorbing most of the District into Maryland or limiting the Senate to 100 representatives.  (Mikaela Lefrak / WAMU)

Recycling spikes in Montgomery County during the pandemic

Since the pandemic began in March, Montgomery County has reported a 20% increase in recycling over the same period last year, while trash has increased 13%.  (Mike Murillo / WTOP)

Maryland lawmakers move forward on policing reforms

A working group on policing in the Maryland General Assembly has started voting on recommendations for the full assembly to consider in January, backing a statewide use-of-force policy and a body camera mandate.  (Ovetta Wiggins / Post)

DC urban gardens have boomed during the pandemic

Many DC area residents have turned to urban gardening to alleviate stress and fill time during the pandemic, leading to a record number of applications for plots.  (Laurel Schwartz / Post)

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